The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has issued a strong statement in response to reports from The Washington Post concerning a potential executive order from President Donald Trump. This order allegedly proposes the dismissal of the Postal Board of Governors members and the placement of the United States Postal Service (USPS) under the Department of Commerce’s control. This developing postal service news has prompted immediate and forceful reaction from the union representing a significant portion of postal workers.
NALC President Brian L. Renfroe released a public declaration firmly opposing this reported executive action. His statement, reflecting the sentiment of the 295,000 active and retired NALC members, emphatically declares, “Hands off the Postal Service.” This clear message underscores the union’s determination to defend the USPS against perceived political interference.
President Renfroe highlighted the critical role of the USPS and its dedicated workforce. Every day, 200,000 active city letter carriers fulfill the Postal Service’s constitutional mandate of universal service. This massive operation involves delivering an astounding 376 million pieces of mail and packages to nearly 169 million delivery points across the nation. The USPS is not just a delivery service; it’s a cornerstone of a vast $1.92 trillion mailing industry. Remarkably, U.S. letter carriers are responsible for delivering 44 percent of the world’s mail, demonstrating the scale and importance of the American postal service.
The NALC statement emphasizes the unique and irreplaceable nature of the USPS’s universal service obligation. No private delivery company guarantees or provides this comprehensive service. Crucially, without the USPS, 51.5 million households and businesses in rural communities would be deprived of guaranteed deliveries of vital items such as medications, financial checks, ballots, and other essential mail and packages. This point underscores the potential detrimental impact of any actions that weaken or undermine the Postal Service.
The reported executive order is described as a direct threat, potentially jeopardizing the livelihoods of 640,000 postal employees, a significant number of whom, over 73,000, are veterans. Furthermore, the repercussions would extend beyond postal workers, affecting the 7.9 million individuals employed within the broader mailing industry. Beyond the immediate economic concerns, the NALC statement asserts that these proposed actions are unconstitutional and illegal, raising serious legal questions about the administration’s authority over the USPS.
The Postal Service’s deep roots in American history, predating the nation itself, and its constitutional enshrinement are central to NALC’s defense. It is emphasized that the USPS is a public service funded by postage and stamp sales, not by taxpayer dollars, further reinforcing its independent and self-sustaining nature.
The NALC statement firmly reminds that the U.S. Constitution vests Congress, not the president, with the primary role in establishing postal policy. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 is cited as a key piece of legislation that intentionally removed the Post Office Department from presidential cabinet control, establishing the USPS as the independent agency it is today. This historical and legal context strengthens the argument against executive overreach.
The statement concludes with a powerful call to action, urging Americans to recognize the reported executive order as a direct assault on USPS employees, the principle of universal service, and every citizen who relies on the Postal Service. The consistent high public trust in the Postal Service, often ranked as one of the most trusted government agencies, is highlighted as a testament to its value and reliability in serving every community nationwide.
NALC President Renfroe affirms the union’s unwavering commitment to defend the Postal Service. “We are fighting like hell against any privatization efforts or reorganizational mandates,” the statement declares. The NALC pledges to utilize all available resources to ensure the continued fulfillment of the universal service obligation that Americans depend upon, through a strong and public Postal Service. This postal service news reflects a critical moment for the USPS and the ongoing debate about its future.
